The build-up to Wimbledon continues with the ATP tour arriving the Turkish city of Antalya. In just its third edition, the ATP 250 Antalya Open features three potential stars of the future in what is a highly competitive field. But who will book their place in the second round when the main draw action gets underway on Sunday?
ATP Antalya Open Day 1 Predictions
Miomir Kecmanovic vs Jaume Munar
Head-to-head: first meeting
There’s suddenly a fresh wave of Serbian tennis players not named Novak Djokovic and the 19-year-old NextGen star Kecmanovic is one of the most impressive of this new cohort. His opponent is another young gun Jaume Munar, who competed at the Next Gen Finals in Milan last season. The Spaniard would have hoped a better clay court season, but will now be looking to the Antalya Open as an opportunity for him to rebuild his confidence having not being able to do so at either Stuttgart or Halle. But though neither is an expert grass-courter, Kecmanovic seems the more comfortable on the surface so expect Munar’s struggles to continue.
Prediction: Kecmanovic in three.
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Joao Sousa vs Lorenzo Sonego
Head-to-head: Sousa 1-0 Sonego
The Italian Lorenzo Sonego’s form has tailed off since his remarkable run to the last eight at Monte Carlo Masters earlier this year. In fact, he has failed to win a single match in the main draw match since and failed to come through the qualifying at the Halle Open. Joao Sousa, in contrast, has looked revitalised on the grass courts so far. After an abysmal clay-court swing, he looks to be gaining confidence, even if he is still a long way from his best, and impressed in reaching the round of 16 showing at Halle, where he lost narrowly to defending champion Borna Coric. Don’t expect him to have too many problems in dispatching the out-of-form Italian.
Prediction: Sousa in two.
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